Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream is a gel cream that promises to combine the best of a BB Cream, CC Cream, and tinted moisturizer with an all in one that increases moisture to skin. I’m dry so I hear moisture and I get excited but I also don’t love the idea of a dewy finish foundation so it also scares me sometimes. Infused with mineral water this promises that your skin will see an increase in moisture up to 215% within a week of use. It’s formulated without oil, without silicone, and without fragrance but does have a host of skin loving ingredients like mineral water, marine botanicals, and hydrating humectants.

Let’s take a look at my review of Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream and see how it did with my drier skin!

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream

I admit I had my reservations about Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream because I sincerely did not like last year’s Bare Skin Serum Foundation release. But much to my delight I feel like Complexion Rescue is a far much more improved formula that does in fact give a bare skin finish with breathable coverage that perfects and lightly hydrates skin giving it a fresh look throughout the wear. THIS is what I wanted from Bare Skin Serum so I’m delighted that Complexion Rescue gets it right.

I tried Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream in the Opal 01 which was a little light for my skin tone but I still managed to make it work so I could test this out fully for the past month or so. I fell in love with the texture, coverage, and wear of this and can easily see myself using it daily.

This is a gel based foundation that has an easy to apply and blend out texture. The gel texture is cool and refreshing on skin and absorbs easily without laying on top of skin once applied but sinks in and provides smooth, flawless coverage. You can obviously see this is a water based foundation as almost instantly upon application it kinda of “bursts” when it contacts with skin, thins and sheers out, and applies with a very easy glide. It isn’t oily, it isn’t greasy, it is however, very soft, soothing, and lightly hydrating as you apply. I don’t feel like it’s greasy in any way nor does it have a dewy finish. The finish for me is slightly dewy for a few seconds but it sets to a softer, smooth finish that has a second-skin look. It’s very lightweight and feels virtually weightless on skin. It does not cling to drier areas on my face and has a very smooth, even appearance that looks airbrushed. You can see below how well it photographs as it really does have a nice photoshopped look about it (you also see the shade is a little too light for me, sorry!).

They do market this as a sheerer to medium coverage foundation but for me it’s more of a tinted moisturizer coverage. This is sheer enough to even out skin tone, brighten skin, and minimizes the appearance of minimal redness. I find it’s a my skin but better look so it enhances the look of my duller, tired skin and gives a brighter, healthier look. Unfortunately, this isn’t coverage that will hide major issues such as blemishes, acne scarring, or dark spots. If you already have fairly good skin, this will tip it over into the flawless category!

The wear is fantastic at around five hours without setting with powder! It doesn’t fade quickly on me and has a nice hold on skin, melding with it, and creating a second skin look and feel. I wouldn’t call it heavily hydrating but there’s enough moisture here that keeps the foundation looking very fresh on drier skin.

The Bare Minerals Smoothing Face Brush ($28) is a new dual-fiber synthetic brush for applying Complexion Rescue. You can squeeze a little bit on the back of your hand, swirl the brush in, and buff the foundation onto your skin. It’s a great brush and the bristles are super soft which means it sheers the gel out and creates a very picture perfect, soft focused finish on skin. Of course, the brush is optional as I find applying with my fingers works just as great! I kinda wish the foundation came with the brush, that would really be nice but I imagine we might just see that from QVC at some point!

Bare Minerals Smoothing Face Brush

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream is a very interesting product! This is a nice way to get a my skin but better finish that brightens, eases dullness, and gives skin a more flawless look! I wouldn’t say it improved the hydration levels of my skin through the wear but it is a very nice tinted moisturizer type product that gives skin a beautiful finish! Those who don’t like wearing a face full of foundation will adore the coverage and look of this product.

I tried a sample and it seemed to become super matte and not at all moisturizing on my skin. I even thought it looked a tad dry. I applied moisturizer before putting the gel cream on but I’m not sure if I’m doing something wrong.

Okay I definitely need to try this, given that everyone is saying positive things about it. I don’t have perfect skin, but it’s smooth and even enough that I don’t want to wear a medium coverage foundation but I don’t like the dewy feel of tinted moisturizers either. Glad to hear this isn’t oily at all!

Oooooooo. Pretty. I actually didn’t get the serum foundation because of your review and am so glad that this is what we had hoped for from them. I love sheer coverage (thank you Korean skincare) so this should work as my next foundation. My IT cosmetics CC cushion is almost dry so this is great timing. 🙂

This is probably not hydrating enough for me during the winter, but worth a try during summer, when my skin is more combo. I didn’t like the BM loose powder foundation (looked nice but I think I’m allergic to it), and their serum one got bad reviews, so maybe the 3rd time is the charm.

This is a lot nicer than the BareSkin released last year but it’s really for ladies with almost perfect complexions. There is almost no coverage whatsoever but your skin does feel nurtured and protected from dryness. If they could add more pigment for at least medium coverage finish and zinc oxide for broad spectrum sun protection, I would buy it again in a heartbeat. (Buttercream is a fantastic shade for approx NC25 with yellow undertones.)

I’ve been a BE girl for over 10 years and have been loving so many of the new things. This one is a must. So glad you like it Muse! Also, unlike so many other companies that don’t care about business from ladies of color BareMinerals never fails to provide a nice range of usable, true to skin tone colors for all women. Even after 10 years I’m still impressed.

QVC does offer this with the brush. Just saw it on their website. I already purchased both separately in Ulta last week. The brush did shed a bit. I washed it, but haven’t used it since. Hope the shedding stops. Want to like the brush.

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! i am sooo excited to try this! i usually prefer med to full coverage, however, on days when i am at home, something quick, easy and light is great! i imagine one can layer additional product like fnd or concealer in areas where greater coverage is desired…?! 🙂 Thanks for the review, Muse! 🙂

First let me say that I think I am turning into a Foundation junkie! I can’t seem to pass up the next new thing…LOL. I tried this out the day I got it! Washed my face and primed with my LG Supercharged Spackle. I didn’t bother getting the brush that is recommended for the Complexion Rescue, instead I used my Precision Face Brush, which I love. I used a small amount at first and built up the coverage as I needed. My face looked velvety soft! I got Vanilla, the Light Neutral shade, and that worked great for me. I also used my BM SPF Correcting Concealer in Light 2 for spots that needed more coverage. The Complexion Rescue is very light weight and feels like tiny water molecules exploding on your face, which is very cooling. Overall I really like it and would definitely purchase again! 🙂

I like how this looks, and it looks great on you! As a dry gal (also with under eye “challenges”), I take your reviews to heart. I’m very tempted by this, will definitely think of it for summer, and it’s at a better price point than many of the other products I think of in this category.

This sounds perfect for me.
MUSE…I wish you did blog sales! Hahaha! That is my perfect color and would be wonderful for my dry skin, too. Someday, maybe? Probably not…
Still a remarkable improvement from last years’ “serum” disaster. UGH. I hated it. I tried it for a solid week and returned it. This looks flawless on your face. Truly beautiful. You can tell you like it just with the glimmer in your pretty eyes. 🙂

I kept trying the BareSkin Serum everytime I went into Ulta and I just could never like the texture, even just trying it on the back of my hand. It was so greasy and I have combination skin so I knew it wouldn’t work for me and your review, Muse, helped seal the deal!! As always your review are spot on and definitely help me make a decision when it comes to choosing what to buy. Now here’s my question, do you have to use the brush? Would a regular stipple or kabuki do the job? Or even your fingers?

i hated bare skin as well, it just never felt like it was set, very greasy and dewy. I actually mentioned in the post that I use my fingers, the brush is just a nice extra but necessary. hope this helps!

Great blog – will definitely look you up when in the market for more makeup tips. Have you tried “IT” Bye bye redness cream? It is about the only thing I have found to cover redness before I put on the original Bare Minerals foundation in Golden Fair. I still feel dry….do you have redness issues? Does the complexion rescue do anything for this?

Great detailed review, as always, and I agree with every word!… you forgot to mention the SPF factor though, which is a major benefit, especially because the active sunscreen ingredient is natural rather than chemical. I bought this product over the weekend and am LUVING it. I even prefer it to Stila’s tinted moisturizer, which is saying a lot! I have oily skin, yet with just a very light dusting of translucent powder on top, I’m shine-free all day, just a super nice glow! I can’t imagine why anyone would need a brush to apply this… goes on perfectly with fingertip application… no moisturizer, primer, or tools needed, that’s the beauty of a tinted bb cream!

Great review! I just tested this out at Ulta and it seems I’m in between shades but I’m very temped to buy it anyway since it’s so sheer. Also, it pilled when I swatched on the back of my hand, not sure if that is a common thing.. I still want it though 🙂

After reading your review of Pixi H20 Skintint, I tried it and I love it. Problem is Target is closing in Canada, so I won’t be able to get it anymore. Would you say this is comparable to Pixi H20 Skintint?
Thanks!

I really liked this product. I don’t use a moisturizer now (I have dry patchy skin in the winter). I was confused about the brush, which I did purchase. Thanks for clearing that up! The website didn’t give me a good example of how to use the brush to put on the product. I am not convinced the brush is necessary either. My skin feels amazing from morning to night. So much so, I hate to wash it before bed. I don’t have excessively bad skin but I am starting to see fine lines. This product helps make them disappear because, like you said, it sinks in and doesn’t sit on top of your skin. I will be using this for my go to foundation. I find you can layer it for blemishes. Hope that helps!

i purchased this and the sales person was very clear that this is not a medium or full coverage product actually she says it’s not coverage at all. It was exactly as you stated evens out redness etc. I like it so far. I also put a moisturizer under it. it’s exactly as she said it was and I love it. I do tend to squeeze too much out and need to learn a little goes a long way.

i bought this product and I really like it. I wore Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer for years but I find it too sticky for humid hot climates. This Bare Minerals gel cream is a tinted moisturizer with more coverage than LM, but does not feel as sticky. The coverage is gorgeous. My skin is normal to oily and it does stay on for hours. It has SPF 30 sunscreen, too.

I did not like the Bare Skin that came out last year but I always wait to see a review from you before trying foundation. So I decided to head into ultra and try this one out because they always help me try colors and actually Vanilla is the exact shade of my skin where it isn’t red. I always try foundation barefaced and it did do a bit to cover the red, but by the time I finished shopping there was a big non red normal skin colored patch on my cheek, so if people have redness, I think they should try it barefaced a couple times first, might save some on concealer.

When it came to the BM original powder, I could never get that to give me the flawless complexion. It left a bunch of places the powder slid all around on my face and it did not give any coverage.

Trying this i bought about a week ago, this has been pretty good. I have been wearing a primer that also soaks up the oil (Texture similar to oil-free Ulta primer) and when the BM Complexion Rescue on top of this, it really worked great. Normally I choose a shade just barely darker than my skin.

In other brands, I have been having problems later (liquid) with it turning orangish on my skin after after a few hours (oxidizing), but this time I chose the exact match for my skin and it seems to be working out great!

Time will tell on how it will do. I will post a review on my site after I have more of a chance to use it (full tube or month whichever comes first)

Hi Isabella,
Do you think if I am Fair in the IT CC and in the not so fantastic BE Bare Skin I was Porcelain, would Opal work with my very fair skin or will it be too dark. Have some pinkish undertones, otherwise my skin is snow white fair. ☃

I have but I’m not much of a fan. I have a review of it in the archives if you’d like to take a look! This formulas aren’t really comparable to be honest. Bare Minerals is much lighter in consistency versus Garnier’s creamy, thicker texture plus Bare Minerals has more color pay off where as Garnier is very sheer.

I don’t like Bareskin, did a rather poor review of it here: http://www.musingsofamuse.com/2014/04/bare-minerals-bare-skin-serum-foundation-review-swatches.html so I wouldn’t call Bareskin better than Complexion Rescue, I also mentioned in this post I didn’t like it. Hope this helps? BB Creams are as personal as fragrance in my experience as it really depends on what sort of formula you’re looking for, what your skin type is like, and what benefits you want from a BB Cream. I like a lot of different formulas. Innisfree BB Cream, BRTC Jasmine Water BB Cream, Dr Jart’s Gold and Pink Label as well as the Oriental, Stila BB Cream, Diorshow BB Cream, and 3LAB BB Cream are some of my favorites.